Dramatic win for India at Eden Garden
Dhoni and Laxman - the partnership that put India on top
India wins!
After an innings and 6 runs defeat at Nagpur, and losing the toss, on the first day at Eden Garden, India had a tough job on hand to beat South Africa.
Not having star batsmen like Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh, made India’s middle order batting look fragile.
Couple that with bad weather on the fourth day, and it looked like South Africa could just about escape with a series win.
As if that was not enough, India also lost the services of Zaheer Khan, due to injury, the main strike bowler in the last day. When India needed him most. This win does two things. It emphasises MS Dhoni’s leadership skills. And that India’s position at the top is no fluke.
Another back breaking effort by Bhajji!
Scores –
South Africa
1st innings – Total Score: 296/10 (85 Overs); Hashim Amla 114
2nd innings - Total Score: 290/10; (131.3 Over); Hashim Amla 123 not out.
India
1st innings – Total Score: 643/6 (153 Over); Virender Sehwag – 165; Sachin Tendulkar - 106; VVS Laxman 143 not out; MS Dhoni 132 not out.
Exciting new series. From 1 Mar, 2010.
I think you are being too charitable to dhoni. astute captaincy?. there was no silly point set for amla at all. it was sheer fortune that the saffers dropped the catches they did.otherwise things would surely have been less rosy
Pravin –
On your important point regarding the rather (I presume) unimportant ‘silly point’ I will defer to you on this one. Not because you are right or wrong, but because my knowledge of cricketing techniques and strategy is limited. And when I say limited, I am being charitable to myself, for a change. Unless you have very strong objections.
What I do know is that the consistency of Dhoni’s success cannot be anything – but talent and leadership.
But, in case, if you feel that I am being premature, I wiling to take a Rs.101 bet. Dhoni, will be India’s most successful – till someone better comes along.
Dhoni will overtake Sourav Ganguli’s 21 victories from 49 tests – in the next 2-3 years. Test match fixtures permitting. Another Rs.101 bet, if you will.